Buckle mechanism

ABSTRACT

A coupling for a safety seat belt system including at least first and second buckle members, one buckle member including connector means and latch means and the other buckle member including pocket means for receiving the connector means of the first mentioned buckle member, the latch means of the first mentioned buckle member including blocker means extending into the mouth of the pocket means for releasable retention of the connector means of one buckle member in the pocket portion of the other.

United States Patent 1 1 Gavagan 1 51 Jan. 16, 1973 54] BUCKLE MECHANISM [75] Inventor: James A. Gavagan, Center Line,

Mich.

[73] Assignee: Irvin Industries Inc., Lexington, Ky.

[22] Filed: Feb. 23, 1971 211 App]. No.: 118,110

[52] US. Cl ..24/224 R, 24/223 R, 24/230 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A44h 17/00, A44b 11/25 [58] Field of Search .24/224 R, 224 LS, 223, 222 BS,

24/222 R, 230 AV; 248/224, 225; 297/389 [56] References Cited 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,110,647 ll/1963 Tong ....24l/224 R 3,462,191 8/1969 Ememan ..24/224 R 3,055,462 9/1962 Steele ..248/224 3,319,917 5/1967 Bilodeau ..248/225 3,392,848 7/1968 McConnell ..248/224 2,422,693 6/1947 McArthurl... ..24/223 3,435,491 4/1969 Shears ..24/224 HE 3,456,981 7/1969 Radke ..24/223 Primary ExaminerBemard A. Gelak Attorney-Rommel 8L Rommel [57] ABSTRACT A coupling for a safety seat belt system including at least first and second buckle members, one buckle member including connector means and latch means and the other buckle member including pocket means for receiving the connector means of the first mentioned buckle member, the latch means of the first mentioned buckle member including blocker means extending into the mouth of the pocket means for releasable retention of the connector means of one buckle member in the pocket portion of the other.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAR 16 i975 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR James A. Guvogon ATTORNEY;

PATENTEDJMI 16 I973 SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG.

INVENTOR James A. Gclvdgun ATTORNEY BUCKLE MECHANISM DISCLOSURE This invention relates to improvements in buckle mechanism of the general type as shown in the copending application of Joseph W. Struck, Ser. No. 88,303, Filed Nov. 10, 1970, and entitled Buckle Mechanism, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,556, dated Dec. 14, 1971.

In three point connector safety seat belt systems, wherein the shoulder harness buckle member is usually directly attached to one of the seat belt buckle members, the occupant sometimes has a tendency to leave the shoulder harness buckle member attached to a seat belt buckle member when he seat the same. Under such conditions, in present day seal belts systems which include retractors for automatically retracting the seat belt, the shoulder harness buckle member sometimes has a tendency to rotate or twist with respect to the buckle member to which it is attached, making it somewhat difficult to straighten out the shoulder har- 'ness and seat belt attached thereto and to properly reconnect the seat belt buckle member to which the shoulder harness buckle member is attached to the other seat belt buckle member. One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an improved three point connector buckle mechanism in which rotation of the shoulder harness buckle member is limited with respect to the seat belt buckle member to which it is attached.

Although the invention is shown and described in connection with a three point connector system, its use is not to be construed as being so limited, and it might, under appropriate circumstances, be used in connec' tion with either two point connector systems or those having more than three point connections.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taking into connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this disclosure, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a three point connector safety seat belt buckle system which embodies my improved buckle mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view the tongue connector plate of one of the seat belt buckle members shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the shoulder harness buckle member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view showing interconnection of the buckle member of the shoulder harness to the tongue connector plate of a seat belt buckle member.

F IG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5--5 of FIG. 1 and showing the buckle member of the shoulder harness attached to the tongue connector plate of a seat belt buckle member.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing release of the shoulder harness buckle member from the tongue connector plate of a seat belt buckle member.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate a safety seat belt system which may include buckle members B, C and D. As shown, buckle members B and C may be attached to seat belt ends and buckle member D may be for attachment of a shoulder harness to a seat belt buckle member.

Buckle member B may comprise a conventional safety belt buckle 20 which may be attached to one end of a lap strap 21. Buckle 20 may, for instance, be of a type as disclosed in the co-pending application of Louis Romanzi, Jr. and Robert C. Pfeiffer, Ser. No. 781,016, filed Dec. 4, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,967, dated Feb. 29, l972.

Buckle member C preferably includes a tongue connector plate 23 which may have at one end thereof an opening 24 for interconnection with buckle 20 in a manner as described in the aforesaid application Ser. No. 781,016, the other end thereof being provided with an opening 25 to which a lap strap 26 may be attached.

Tongue connector plate 23 also preferably includes an offset central portion 27 in which may be provided pocket means 28. Pocket means 28 may be in the nature of a keyhole slot having an enlarged opening 29 at one end thereof defined by an outer substantially arcuate edge portion 30 and substantially straight edge portions 31 and 32 which extend convergently from the outermost reaches of arcuate edge 30 to a slot portion 33 which provides a narrow portion of pocket means 28.

Buckle member D may include a main frame 35 to which may be attached connector means 36 and latch means 37.

Frame 35 may include conventional belt adjusting means 40 at one end thereof for adjustable attachment ofa shoulder harness 41 thereto. The other end of main frame 35 may be provided with a flange 44 and an opening 45 may be provided centrally of main body portion 35, flange 44 and opening 45 cooperating with latch means 37 in attachment thereof to frame 35, as will be subsequently described. An opening 47 may be provided through main frame 35, through which a portion of latch means 37 may extend, as will be subsequently described. Main frame .35 is also preferably provided with an opening 48 for attachment thereto of connector means 36, as will be subsequently described.

Connector means 36 may comprise an anchor pin 50 which may be suitably attached to main frame 35 with a shaft portion 51 having an enlarged head portion 52 dependent from one side thereof.

Latch means 37 is preferably an integral one piece construction and may, for instance, be of molded polypropylene. Of course, it is within the scope of this invention to provide a latch means of other than an integral construction.

As shown, latch means 37 preferably includes a main body portion 55 having a front retaining tab 56 and a rear retaining tab 57, front retaining tab 56 receiving flange 44 of frame 35 and rear retaining tab 57 being engageable with one side of slot 45 in attachment of latch means 37 to frame 35.

Latch means 37 also preferably includes a blocker means which may include a tab-like member 60. As previously noted, latch means 37is preferably an integral one piece construction, the same being preferably of a material so that attachment of end 6l-of tab-like member 60 to main body portion 55 comprises a hinge means which permits flexure of tab-like member 60 with respect to main body portion 55, and yet supports the same in a substantially fixed position,

absent the exertion of an external operative force thereon.

Tab-like member 60 preferably has a keeper tang 62 dependent from one side thereof. Keeper tang 62 is preferably of a substantially triangular shape having at least two converging side edges. Keeper tang 62 is positioned to extend through opening 47 of frame 35, the aforementioned converging side edges of the same preferably converging toward anchor pin 50.

One side of lever means 65 is preferably hingedly connected to one end of tab-like member 60 such as by a living hinge" 66. The other side 67 of lever means 65 preferably extends over a portion of main frame 35, such portion of main frame 35 comprising abutment means whereby urging of lever means 65 in a direction to cause abutment of side 67 thereof against frame 35 lifts keeper tang 62 out of enlarged opening 29 of pocket means 28, to permit removal of anchor pin 50 therefrom, as shown in FIG. 6.

In interconnection of buckle member D to buckle member C, anchor pin 50 may be slid into pocket means 28, as shown in FIG. 5. Keeper tang 62, of latch means 37, will ride over the connecting angle of central portion 27 of frame 23 and into enlarged portion 29 of pocket means 28, dropping thereinto in a manner to retain anchor pin 50 within slot 33, as shown in FIG. 5. As shown, protective ribs 70, which extend along the outermost edges of body portion 55 will serve to protect latch means 37 against accidental release.

As shown in FIG. 4, keeper tang 62 preferably cooperates with enlarged portion 29 of pocket means 28 so that rotation of buckle member D with respective buckle member C is limited to approximately 30. This serves to prevent undue rotation of one part with respect to the other which might make it difficult to reattach buckle member C to buckle member B under conditions when the operator may have left buckle members C and D interconnected although separated from buckle member B.

When it is desired to release buckle member D from buckle member C, the operator may exert pressure on lever means 65, as shown in FIG. 6, side 67 thereof engaging frame 35, as a fulcrum, which will serve to lift keeper tang 62 out of the enlarged portion of pocket means 28 so that anchor pin 50 may be removed from narrow portion 33 of pocket means 28. In FIG. 6 I have shown the use of such as an index finger in pushing against lever means 65, but it will be appreciated that such force could just as well be supplied by a pulling of lever means 65 such as by the thumb. It is to be understood that the word lever as applied to lever means 65 is meant to designate any type of member for raising tab-like member 60 and lifting keeper tang 62.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

I. In a coupling for a safety seat belt system, the combination of at least first and second buckle members releasably connectable with one another, one said buckle member including a frame having connector means and latch means attached thereto and the other of said buckle members including pocket means for receiving said connector means, said pocket means ineluding a mouth for ingress and egress of said connector means, sait latch means including a main body portion having means for attachment thereof to said frame, blocker means having a tab-like member provided at one end thereof with hinge means for hingedly attaching the same to said main body portion and a tang adjacent the end of said tab-like member opposite said hinge means, said tang being extendable into said mouth of said pocket means for releasable retention of said connector means in said pocket means, a release lever for manipulation of said tab-like member in reciprocable movement of said tang to permit removal of said connector means from said pocket means, a portion of said frame of said one buckle member extending beneath said release lever and comprising abutment means positioned for engagement by said release lever, and hinge means for attachment of one side of said release lever to said tab-like member adjacent the end thereof having said tang with the other side of said release lever positioned for abutment against said abutment means so that a force exerted on said release lever in urging the side of said release lever opposite the side thereof having said hinge means into abutment with said abutment means raises said tang out of said mouth of said pocket means to permit removal of said connector means therefrom.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a one-piece member.

3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said one piece latch means is comprised of polypropylene.

4. The combination as specified in claim 1 including a third buckle member, said second mentioned buckle member comprising a tongue connector plate for a seat belt portion of the system, said first mentioned buckle member comprising a buckle member for a shoulder harness portion of the system, and said third buckle member comprising a buckle for another seat portion of the system that is releasably connectable to said tongue connector plate of said second mentioned buckle member.

5. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises an anchor pin, said anchor pin including a shaft provided with an enlarged head, said pocket means comprising a keyhole slot having an enlarged opening provided with an outer substantially arcuate edge having at the outermost reaches thereof converging substantially straight edge portions leading into a substantially narrow portion thereof, said enlarged opening being of a dimension to receive said enlarged head of said anchor pinfor insertion of said shaft of said anchor pin within said narrow portion of said keyhole slot in releasable interconnection of one buckle member to the other, said tang being positioned to interfit within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and being of a dimension to prevent removal of said anchor pin from said narrow portion of said keyhole slot when said tang is positioned within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and will permit substantially thirty degrees of rotation of one buckle member with respect to the other.

6. In a coupling for a safety seat belt system, the combination of at least first and second buckle members releasably connectable with one another, one said buckle member including connector means and latch means and the other of said buckle members including pocket means for receiving said connector means, said latch means including blocker means, and lever means for manipulation of, said blocker means to permit removal of said connector means from said pocket means, said connector means comprising an anchor pin, said anchor pin including a shaft provided with an enlarged head, said pocket means comprising a keyhole slot having an enlarged opening provided with an outer substantially arcuate edge having at the outermost reaches thereof. converging substantially straight edge portions leading into a substantially narrow portion thereof, said enlarged opening being of a dimension to receive said enlarged head of said anchor pin for insertion of said shaft of said anchor pin within said narrow portion of said keyhole slot in releasable interconnection of one buckle number to the other, said blocker means being positioned to interfit within said enlarged I opening of said keyhole slot and being of a dimension to prevent removal of said anchor pin from said narrow portion of said keyhole slot when :said tang is positioned within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and will permit substantially thirty degrees of rotation of one buckle member with respect to the other, said latch member having a main body portion and said blocker means thereof including a tab-like member centrally disposed of and surrounded by said main body portion, hinge means for hingedly connecting one end of said tab-like member to said main body portion, a shaped projection extending from one side of said tab-like member adjacent the end thereof opposite said hinge means, and said lever means including an upstanding member extending from said tab-like member at the same end thereof as and from the side thereof opposite said shaped projection, said shaped projection having at least two converging sides extending in a convergent relationship toward said anchor pin. 

1. In a coupling for a safety seat belt system, the combination of at least first and second buckle members releasably connectable with one another, one said buckle member including a frame having connector means and latch means attached thereto and the other of said buckle members including pocket means for receiving said connector means, said pocket means including a mouth for ingress and egress of said connector means, sait latch means including a main body portion having means for attachment thereof to said frame, blocker means having a tab-like member provided at one end thereof with hinge means for hingedly attaching the same to said main body portion and a tang adjacent the end of said tab-like member opposite said hinge means, said tang being extendable into said mouth of said pocket means for releasable retention of said connector means in said pocket means, a release lever for manipulation of said tab-like member in reciprocable movement of said tang to permit removal of said connector means from said pocket means, a portion of said frame of said one buckle member extending beneath said release lever and comprising abutment means positioned for engagement by said release lever, and hinge means for attachment of one side of said release lever to said tab-like member adjacent the end thereof having said tang with the other side of said release lever positioned for abutment against said abutment means so that a force exerted on said release lever in urging the side of said release lever opposite the side thereof having said hinge means into abutment with said abutment means raises said tang out of said mouth of said pocket means to permit removal of said connector means therefrom.
 2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a one-piece member.
 3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said one piece latch means is comprised of polypropylene.
 4. The combination as specified in claim 1 including a third buckle member, said second mentioned buckle member comprising a tongue connector plate for a seat belt portion of the system, said first mentioned buckle member comprising a buckle member for a shoulder harness portion of the system, and said third buckle member comprising a buckle for another seat portion of the system that is releasably connectable to said tongue connector plate of said second mentioned buckle member.
 5. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said connector means comprises an anchor pin, said anchor pin including a shaft provided with an enlarged head, said pocket means comprising a keyhole slot having an enlarged opening provided with an outer substantially arcuate edge having at the outermost reaches thereof converging substantially straight edge portions leading into a substantially narrow portion thereof, said enlarged opening being of a dimension to receive said enlarged head of said anchor pin for insertion of said shaft of said anchor pin within said narrow portion of said keyhole slot in releasable interconnection of one buckle member to the other, said tang being positioned to interfit within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and being of a dimension to prevent removal of said anchor pin from said narrow portion of said keyhole slot when said tang is positioned within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and will permit substantially thirty degrees of rotation of one buckle member with respect to the other.
 6. In a coupling for a safety seat belt system, the combination of at least first and second buckle members releasably connectable with one another, one said buckle member including connector means and latch means and the other of said buckle members including pocket means for receiving said connector means, said latch means including blocker means, and lever means for manipulation of, said blocker means to permit removal of said connector means from said pocket means, said connector means comprising an anchor pin, said anchor pin including a shaft provided with an enlarged head, said pocket means comprising a keyhole slot having an enlarged opening provided with an outer substantially arcuate edge having at the outermost reaches thereof converging substantially straight edge portions leading into a substantially narrow portion thereof, said enlarged opening being of a dimension to receive said enlarged head of said anchor pin for insertion of said shaft of said anchor pin within said narrow portion of said keyhole slot in releasable interconnection of one buckle number to the other, said blocker means being positioned to interfit within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and being of a dimension to prevent removal of said anchor pin from said narrow portion of said keyhole slot when said tang is positioned within said enlarged opening of said keyhole slot and will permit substantially thirty degrees of rotation of one buckle member with respect to the other, said latch member having a main body portion and said blocker means thereof including a tab-like member centrally disposed of and surrounded by said main body portion, hinge means for hingedly connecting one end of said tab-like member to said main body portion, a shaped projection extending from one side of said tab-like member adjacent the end thereof opposite said hinge means, and said lever means including an upstanding member extending from said tab-like member at the same end thereof as and from the side thereof opposite said shaped pRojection, said shaped projection having at least two converging sides extending in a convergent relationship toward said anchor pin. 